Orochimaru’s Magic Lamp

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Day by day, the situation shifted.

On one hand was a common shinobi—easily killed in a single move. On the other, a prestigious clan leader, wielder of a powerful dōjutsu bloodline, and someone whose strength approached Kage level.

The disparity in power and status was obvious. No one would argue that the two lives were of equal worth.

But things changed when the fallen shinobi bore the political title of peace envoy.

Suddenly, the idea of "a life for a life" didn't seem so outrageous.

Even if Kumogakure held the advantage over Konoha, this wasn't just a matter of diplomacy—it was a political war, with lives and reputations on the line.

After all, Tetsuya had died within the Hyūga clan's territory, and what's worse, was caught red-handed by the envoy's party. A scandal.

An unforgivable scandal among the Five Great Shinobi Nations.

Whether Tetsuya had tried to steal a kekkei genkai, or kidnapped an heir of the Hyūga, or committed any crime—it didn't matter. No one cared about the details.

To the other villages, this was the simple truth:

Konoha—supposedly the strongest of the Five—can't even control its own ninja. Incompetent.

And now they were facing international pressure for a blunder made in their own village.

Had Konoha not proven its strength in the last war, it might not even have the chance to explain itself now.

---

"So," Orochimaru said, sipping sake in a quiet izakaya, "what exactly do you want me to do?"

He turned to Jiraiya with a faint smile.

"This sort of mess is best left to the old man. You, on the other hand, should focus on your training."

After restoring his soul and reporting to the Third Hokage, Orochimaru returned to his usual schedule—researching the White Zetsu clone, training Kabuto, and now even adding physical conditioning to better synchronize with his body and maximize physical strength.

Aside from Tsunade, the only one in Konoha who could challenge him in close-quarters combat was the sage-like Jiraiya.

He'd gained quite a bit this past month, so he was in a good mood when he accepted Jiraiya's invitation to drink.

But now, he saw this wasn't just about sake.

"I just don't like it," Jiraiya said, putting down his cup and frowning. His tone turned serious. "The village hasn't made an official decision yet, but the consensus is forming. They're leaning toward accepting Kumogakure's demand."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.

"Is the old man losing his mind?"

Surrendering the head of a major clan to appease another village—regardless of the reason—was disgraceful. He couldn't see any justification for handing over Hiashi Hyūga.

"This isn't his decision," Jiraiya muttered, voice heavy with disdain. "It's coming from the Hyūga elders. They're claiming it's for the sake of the clan's honor."

If the peace talks collapsed and Konoha lost the benefits it had nearly secured, even a noble clan like the Hyūga would bear the shame.

With the precedent set by Sakumo Hatake, no one wanted to become a scapegoat for the village's failings.

And perhaps—just perhaps—the elders had their own political agendas.

"Well, isn't that convenient," Orochimaru said with a sharp smile. The sarcasm in his voice was unmistakable.

"Hyūga preserves its reputation. The village secures its benefits. And Konoha's honor remains untarnished. After all, the sacrifice is voluntary."

"Heh... a perfect three-way win."

By making it look like a willing act, the optics were clean. Outsiders couldn't complain, and even friends and family had no grounds to protest.

Because, in the end, it was his decision.

Or so it would seem.

"Not respecting his choice is the same as not respecting him. And if you don't respect him anymore, what's the point of even talking to you?"

A flawless, logical loop.

But "personal will" was never that simple.

People's choices are rarely made in isolation. Most are shaped by their environment, their status, the expectations of others—by the group they belong to.

Take the Hyūga clan.

When they claim they're preserving their "reputation," what they really want is to stand on the moral high ground and avoid becoming targets of silent resentment or ostracism within the village.

Orochimaru had no strong opinion on that.

That's just reality. There's no right or wrong—just different choices, different priorities.

And truth be told, he didn't like Hyūga Hiashi.

He didn't like the main family of the Hyūga at all.

As someone who sought immortality, nothing repulsed him more than those who reeked of decay and resignation.

To him, they weren't truly alive—just walking corpses.

Dying early might even be better. At least they could offer some pure soul energy to the Pure Land.

---

"Things aren't as simple as you think," Jiraiya muttered, glancing at Orochimaru with a sigh.

"The Hyūga elders want Neji's father—Hizashi—to die in Hiashi's place."

Like Orochimaru, Jiraiya didn't obsess over life or death. It was a matter of personal choice and responsibility.

But Hizashi… Hizashi was a fellow villager.

And being forced to die by your own clan elders—without even dying on the battlefield—was something Jiraiya couldn't stomach.

He didn't believe for a second that Hizashi had "volunteered."

But this was a Hyūga clan decision, and even with backing from the village leadership, there wasn't much he could do.

Which was why he came to Orochimaru—out of sheer desperation.

Orochimaru's voice turned cold.

"So it's not Hiashi who's going to die… but Hizashi?"

"Exactly," Jiraiya confirmed.

"Orochimaru, this is the solution the Hyūga elders gave. Hizashi even came forward once, said he agreed to it."

Orochimaru frowned.

He didn't particularly care about the fate of the Hyūga clan.

But Hizashi was different.

He carried the wish of the Lamp Djinn.

---

"No need to worry about that," a sly voice whispered.

From behind Orochimaru, the Djinn emerged, smiling as always.

"His wish has already been made. As long as he's not destroyed completely, the reward will come once the wish is fulfilled. No one can take that credit—not without my permission."

The Djinn was as treacherous, smug, and greedy as ever.

But it was a small relief.

At least there would be no interference in the wish's fulfillment.

Still, watching those rotten bastards profit from it all was maddening.

---

"What about the old man?" Orochimaru asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's hard to meddle in Hyūga clan affairs, sure—but Hizashi's still a Konoha ninja. He's fought countless battles, made real contributions.

As Hokage, is the old man really just going to stand by and let this happen?"

"He opposed it at first," Jiraiya said heavily.

"But not long after… he agreed. And the two elder advisors supported it, too."

He rapped the table, eyes sharp.

"The branch family dies in place of the main family. After this, the rift between the two sides will deepen."

"The branch family will grow more disillusioned with the main family—but closer to the village."

"And the main family elders will lean more on the village, too. They'll use its authority to suppress dissent within the clan."

"In the end, it's a win-win—for the village."

---

Jiraiya's voice darkened.

"If the old man and Danzō hadn't agreed to this... it would've already been over."

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